Sometimes my job doesn’t feel like work – like when I get to photograph fun/romantic/silly couples like Fernie + Shantell! Their smiles came just as easily as the snuggles, and their giggles weren’t far behind the whispered secrets, the 98 Degrees serenade, and the overly-roasted marshmallows. :-)

Thanks, you two, for giving me a little preview of how *awesome* your wedding is going to be!! Now, enjoy a few of my favorites from this weekend!

Doesn’t Shantell look just like Kelly Ripa?! I felt a tiny bit star-struck photographing her. But then she brought me down to earth with her hairstylist banter – seriously, stylists have this natural ability to make friends with anyone, I swear. :-)

I *have* to share this goofy out-take from the s’mores section of their session, because this is the fun/goofy side I want them, their families, and their future kids and grandkids to remember. :-)

Layne + Alexis live in North Dakota, but they met in Rapid City, so it was only fitting that they came back for their engagement photos!! Pactola Lake was one of their favorite stops while driving through the hills, so I met them there to preserve those special memories… because I’m sure every time they stopped their outfits coordinated this well, and they snuggled together just like this… ;-) Just teasing! But I do love meeting up with couples and photographing them at locations that are special or important to them. Hopefully they’ll tell their kids and grandkids about these photos and tell them the story of how they met and fell in love during those drives through the Black Hills. :-)

I just *love* hearing how couples meet – it’s one of those life stories that will be told to kids and grandkids and inquisitive photographers such as myself. :-) For Jaden + Megan, it was being paired up to walk down the aisle together as bridesmaid + groomsman at a friend’s wedding. They met a couple months before the wedding, and were dating by the time their friends said ‘I do.’ AND NOW IT’S THEIR TURN!!!

You know what’s fun about engagement sessions? Meeting these lovely people and getting a sneak peek into what their big day might be like. Are they goofy? Are they sweet? Do they make each other laugh? Most of the time it’s a combination of (or all of) the above, and I fall in love and start counting down the days to their wedding! :-)

Here are my *favorite* engagement images from 2014! Enjoy!

The second half of this post are couples whose weddings are coming up in 2015!! Clearly, it’s going to be another fantastic year!

So. Many. Countdowns!!!!!! So excited to see you guys in 2015!! :-D

I looooove getting to photograph couples who have known each other for a long time. I can only imagine how much they’ve been through together, especially when living and going to college in separate states. (Long distance is tough!!) But having been together for a number of years, they’re naturally good at snuggling, plus they know exactly how to make each other laugh – which works out great for me! :-D

Dan + Megan – Thanks so much for inviting me to document this exciting time of your lives! I had a wonderful time meeting you and am SO looking forward to seeing you again (when the weather will be much, much warmer)!